Electronic cigarette

ABSTRACT

An electronic cigarette includes an absorption stem one end of which forms a mouthpiece end for smoking the electronic cigarette, wherein a filter tip is provided on the mouthpiece end. The present invention has the following advantages. Interference-fitting between the filter tip disposed on the mouthpiece end and absorption stem enhances the entire hand feeling and emulation of the electronic cigarette.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to field of electronic cigarette and moreparticularly, relates to an electronic cigarette with a filter tipdisposed at its mouthpiece end.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A prior art electronic cigarette contains a mouthpiece at one end of itsabsorption stem so as to form a mouthpiece end of the electroniccigarette for use by a user. As the mouthpiece of a prior art electroniccigarette is generally constructed of plastic material, this certainlywill have influence on mouth feel during use. In addition, there is noreal hand feeling like a traditional cigar and emulation is not enough.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The technical problem to be solved by the invention is to provide anelectronic cigarette effectively enhancing mouth feel of the electroniccigarette.

To resolve the above problem, the present invention discloses anelectronic cigarette including an absorption stem one end of which formsa mouthpiece end for smoking the electronic cigarette. Here, a filtertip is provided on the mouthpiece end.

Preferably, the absorption stem is of a hollow tubular construction, thefilter tip is received in the absorption stem and is interference-fittedwith the absorption stem.

Preferably, the filter tip is made of acetate fiber.

Preferably, the electronic cigarette further includes an atomizationdevice disposed at a side of the filter tip and a battery electricallyconnected to the atomization device for providing power to theatomization device.

Preferably, the atomization device and battery are contained and held inthe absorption stem.

Preferably, paper is attached onto an outer surface of the absorptionstem.

Preferably, the electronic cigarette further includes a battery stemconnected with the absorption stem. The atomization device is located inthe absorption stem, while the battery is located in the battery stem.

Preferably, one end of the absorption stem facing the battery stem isprovided with a first and second connection portions for electricallyconnecting the atomization device and battery and bringing stableconnection between the absorption stem and battery stem.

Preferably, the first connection portion includes a first connectionmember and a first electrode member insulated with the first connectionmember both of which are electrically connected with the atomizationdevice for constituting a positive and negative electrodes of theatomization device. The second connection portion includes a secondconnection member and a second electrode member insulated with thesecond connection member both of which are electrically connected with apositive and negative electrodes of the battery. When the absorptionstem is connected with the battery stem, the first connection member andfirst electrode member are electrically coupled with the secondconnection member and second electrode member respectively.

Preferably, the atomization device includes a liquid storage componentfor storing cigar liquid, an atomizer pressed against the liquid storagecomponent, and an atomization base and atomization case disposed at twoends of the liquid storage component respectively for sealing the liquidstorage component.

Preferably, both of the atomization base and atomization case areinterference-fitted with the absorption stem.

Preferably, first and second holding grooves are defined on theatomization base and atomization case at a corresponding side facing theliquid storage component respectively for holding the liquid storagecomponent therein.

Preferably, the liquid storage component is supported by and heldbetween the atomization base and atomization case through a supportingtube.

Preferably, the electronic cigarette further includes an atomizationcontrol unit electrically coupled with the battery for switching on andoff of the atomization device. The atomization control unit is locatedbetween the atomization device and battery, or the atomization controlunit is disposed on the battery at a side far away from the atomizationdevice.

Preferably, the atomization control unit includes an atomization controlcircuit and an atomization control switch connected to the atomizationcontrol circuit. The atomization control switch is a capacitive sensorswitch or gas sensor, or button switch. The atomization control circuitis integrated into the atomization control switch. Or, the atomizationcontrol unit further includes an atomization control circuit boardcoupled respectively with the battery and atomization control switch.The atomization control circuit is integrated into the atomizationcontrol circuit board.

The present invention has the following advantages. By providing afilter tip on the mouthpiece end of the absorption stem, cigar liquid iseffectively filtered out and mouth feel is better. In addition,interference-fitting between the filter tip and absorption stem makesthe structure simple. Moreover, as paper is attached onto the outerperiphery of the absorption stem, the entire hand feeling of theelectronic cigarette is enhanced and emulation of the electroniccigarette is also improved.

Embodiments of the present invention are further described inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an electronic cigarette according toa first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an electronic cigarette according to afirst embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an electronic cigarette according toa second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an absorption stem of an electroniccigarette according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an absorption stem of an electroniccigarette according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a battery stem of an electroniccigarette according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an atomization case of an electroniccigarette; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an atomization base of an electroniccigarette.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIGS. 1-8, the present invention provides an electroniccigarette including an absorption stem 101. One end of the absorptionstem 101 forms a mouthpiece end for smoking the electronic cigarette bya user. A filter tip 10 is disposed on the mouthpiece end.

The absorption stem 101 is of a hollow tubular construction, and may bemade of metal, plastic, paper and wood. In this embodiment, theabsorption stem 101 is preferably configured to have a tubularconstruction with circular cross section just like a traditional cigarso as to enhance simulation effect of the electronic cigarette. Ofcourse, according to design requirement, the absorption stem 101 mayalso be configured to have a tubular construction with other polygonalor combined cross section such that the electronic cigarette will havemuch more designs.

Please refer to FIGS. 1-6, the filter tip 10 is disposed and held in theabsorption stem 101 and is of a cylindrical shape corresponding to theabsorption stem 101. The outer diameter of the filter tip 10 is slightlylarger than inner diameter of the absorption stem 101 so as to forminterference-fit with the latter and further be secured into theabsorption stem 101 by pressing of its outer wall against the inner wallof the absorption stem 101.

In this embodiment, the filter tip 10 is preferably constructed ofnontoxic tasteless acetate fiber material with small absorptiveresistance and strong absorbability and high stiffness. As anembodiment, the filter tip 10 may also be constructed of other materialhaving smoke adsorptive capability and filtering performance such aspolypropylene strand, active carbon or inorganic mineral fiber.

The filter tip 10 is provided on the mouthpiece end of the absorptionstem 101 to effectively filter smoke which otherwise would have flowedinto the mouth of the user, absorb cigar oil contained in smoke, andprevent absorption of cigar oil by the user when using the electroniccigarette, thus effectively improving mouth feeling of the electroniccigarette while maintaining health of the user. In addition,interference fitting between the filter tip 10 and absorption stem 101effectively simplifies structure of the electronic cigarette, keepsconsistency of the external design of the absorption stem 101, andavoids formation of a connection portion between the absorption stem andmouthpiece as traditionally, hence effectively enhancing mouth feelingof the mouthpiece end of the electronic cigarette.

Reference is made to FIGS. 1-3. An atomization device 20 and battery 30are received in the electronic cigarette. The atomization device 20 isintended for converting cigar liquid into smoke for absorption by theuser. The battery 30 is electrically coupled with the atomization device20 to provide electric power to the atomization device 20.

As shown in FIGS. 1-5, the atomization device 20 includes a liquidstorage component 21, an atomizer 22, an atomization base 23 and anatomization case 24.

The atomization device 20 is disposed adjacent the filter tip 10 and isreceived and secured in the absorption stem 101. In present embodiment,the absorption stem 101 directly functions as an atomization bushing ofthe atomization device 20 for accommodating and sealing the liquidstorage component 21, thus further simplifying the entire constructionof the electronic cigarette. Of course, as an embodiment, theatomization device 20 may also have independent atomization bushing

The liquid storage component 21 has liquid absorption and storagecapability and is used for absorbing and storing cigar liquid to belater atomized by the atomizer 22. In this embodiment, the liquidstorage component 21 may be made of material with liquid absorption andstorage ability such as glass fiber, non-woven fabrics, wood pulp fiber,chemical fiber, polyvinyl alcohol, high temperature resistant cotton,chemical fiber cotton, mixed cotton, liquid absorption cotton, foamnickel or the like.

In this embodiment, the liquid storage component 21 is disposed to be ofa hollow tubular construction matched with the absorption stem 101, andis disposed coaxially with the absorption stem 101.

The atomizer 22 is used to convert cigar liquid into smoke and, in thisembodiment, the atomizer 22 is composed of an electric heater coil 221and an atomization base stem 222. The electric heater coil 221 isenwound on the atomization base stem 222. The atomization stem 222 issupported and secured inside the liquid storage component 21 to absorbcigar liquid inside the liquid storage component 21 such that the cigarliquid will be heated by the electric heater coil 221 to be atomized. Inthis embodiment, the atomization stem is configured to be of acylindrical shape, and is made of glass fiber or other fiber materialcapable of resisting high temperature and absorbing liquid.

The atomization base 23 and atomization base 24 are disposed at two endsof the liquid storage component 21 respectively, for sealing andsecuring the liquid storage component 21 into the absorption stem 101.As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a first holding groove 213 for holding theliquid storage component 21 is disposed on the atomization base 23 atone side facing the liquid storage component 21. The middle portion ofthe first holding groove 231 corresponds to the middle portion of theliquid storage component 21 and is provided with a first venting hole232 for helping flowing of gas along the gas path. A second holdinggroove 241 for holding the liquid storage component 21 is disposed onthe atomization base 24 at one side facing the liquid storage component21. The middle portion of the second holding groove 241 corresponds tothe middle portion of the liquid storage component 21 and is providedwith a second venting hole for helping flowing of gas along the gaspath. In this embodiment, both of the atomization base 23 andatomization case 24 are constructed of rubber material with certainresilient deformation ability such as silica gel, and their externalcontours are preferably matched with and interference-fitted with theinternal contour of the absorption stem 101. Both of the atomizationbase 23 and atomization case 24 are pressed against and held in theabsorption stem 101 by their outer walls for sealing the liquid storagecomponent 21.

At the same time, a first and second wire guiding holes 233 and 234through which the two ends of the electric heater coil 221 pass areaxially defined in the side wall of the atomization base 23. The twoends of the electric heater coil 221 passes through the first and secondwire guiding holes 233 and 234 respectively for realizing electricalconnection with the battery 30.

In this embodiment, the liquid storage component 21 is supported andheld between the atomization base 23 and atomization case 24 by asupporting tube 25. A through hole 251 communicated with the first andsecond venting holes 232 and 242 for conducting gas path is defined inthe middle portion of the supporting tube 25.

In this embodiment, the atomization stem 222 is radially disposed in thesupporting tube 25. A radially extended holding slot 252 iscorrespondingly defined in the side wall of the supporting tube 25. Thetwo ends of the atomization stem 222 extend out of the supporting tube25 from the holding slot 252 and are pressed against the inner wall ofthe liquid storage component 21 for absorbing cigar liquid inside theliquid storage component 21 so that the cigar liquid will be heated andatomized by the electric heater coil 221. With regard to detailedconfiguration, to avoid axial movement of the atomization stem 222 inthe supporting tube 25, a locating tube is sleeved on the outer portionof the supporting tube 25 above or below the atomization stem 222.

As an embodiment, the atomization stem 222 may also be axially disposedin the supporting tube 25. When the atomization stem 222 is axiallydisposed, it must be ensured that interior of the supporting tube 25will communicate with the gas path while ensuring that the electricheater coil 221 will be sufficiently pressed against the inner wall ofthe supporting tube 25 for realizing atomization. It is understandablethat when atomization stem 222 and electric heater coil 221 are axiallydisposed in the liquid storage component 21, the liquid storagecomponent 21 also be supported and secured between the atomization base23 and atomization case 24 without help of the supporting tube 25.Alternatively, in case that the axially located electric heater coil 221has sufficient supporting force, the atomizer 22 may also not beprovided with the atomization stem 222. Rather, the electric heater coil221 supports and holds the liquid storage component 21 inside theabsorption stem 101 by its own supporting force.

As the temperature is high when the electric heater coil 221 is poweredand begin to atomize the cigar liquid, to enhance the lifespan and heatresistance of the liquid storage component 21, in this embodiment, aheat insulation member made of high temperature resistant and liquidabsorptive baby disposed between the liquid storage component 21 andsupporting tube 25 for protection of the liquid storage component 21.

Reference is made to FIGS. 1 and 2. In this embodiment, the battery 30is disposed on the atomization device 20 at one side away from thefilter tip 10, and is received and held in the absorption stem 101 by abattery holding base 31. To further improve simulation and hand feelingof the electronic cigarette 100, paper 102 may be adhered onto the outersurface of the absorption stem 101. One side of the paper 102 facing theouter side may be printed with patterns same as or similar to the truecigar appearance, while the other side of the paper 102 pressed againstthe absorption stem 101 may be provided with adhesive for adhering thepaper 102 and absorption stem 101 together.

As shown in FIGS. 3-6, as an embodiment, the electronic cigarette may befurther provided with a battery stem 103 connected with the absorptionstem 101 so as to hold the battery 30 inside the battery stem 103. Whenthe atomization device 20 and battery 30 are located in the absorptionstem 101 and battery stem 103 respectively, corresponding ends of theabsorption stem 101 and battery stem 103 are provided with a firstconnection portion 40 and a second connection portion 50 respectivelyfor achieving stable connection between the two. The electricalconnection between the atomization device 20 and battery 30 are obtainedby the first connection portion 40 and second connection portion 50.

Please refer to FIG. 4. The first connection portion 40 includes a firstconnection member 41 and a first electrode member 42 insulated with thefirst connection member 41. The first connection member 41 and firstelectrode member 42 are coupled with the two ends of the electric heatercoil 221 so as to form the positive and negative electrodes of theatomizer 22. In present embodiment, the first electrode member 42 isheld in the middle portion of the first connection member 41 by a firstinsulation member 43 and is insulated from the first connection member41. A first intake hole 421 is defined in the middle portion of thefirst electrode member 42 for allowing entrance of external air into theatomization device 20.

Referring to FIG. 6, the second connection portion 50 includes a secondconnection member 51 and a second electrode member 52 insulated with thesecond connection member 51. The second connection member 51 and thesecond electrode member 52 are electrically connected to the positiveand negative electrodes of the battery 30 respectively. In presentembodiment, the second electrode member 52 is held in the middle portionof the second connection member 51 by a second insulation member 53, andis insulated from the second connection member 51. A middle portion ofthe second electrode member 52 is correspondingly provided with a secondintake hole 521 communicating with the first intake hole 421 forconducting gas path.

Please continue referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, in this embodiment, thesecond connection member 51 is provided with a fixing groove 511 forinsertion of a corresponding end of the first connection member 41. Oneend of the first connection member 41 in which the second connectionmember 51 is inserted is correspondingly provided with a boss 411conforming to the inner contour of the fixing groove 511. Matchedthreads are formed on the inner wall of the fixing groove 511 and outerwall of the boss 411 respectively for connecting the absorption stem 101and battery stem 103 by screwing. As an embodiment, the fixing groove511 may also be defined in a corresponding end of the first connectionmember 41, and a corresponding end of the second connection member 51may be provided with a boss 411 inserted into the fixing groove 511. Atthe same time, the connection between the first and second connectionmembers 41 and 51 may be achieved by clasping, insertion, magneticadsorption or the like.

When assembling the electronic cigarette, the boss 411 of the firstconnection member 41 is inserted into the fixing groove 511 of thesecond connection member 51. The first connection member 41 is pressedagainst the second connection member 51. The first electrode member 42is pressed against the second electrode member 52, thus realizingelectrical connection between the battery 30 and atomization device 20.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the electronic cigarette may also have anatomization control unit electrically connected with the battery 30 andatomization device 20 respectively for powering on or off theatomization device 20. The atomization control unit may be disposedbetween the atomization device 20 and battery 30. Alternatively, it mayalso be disposed on the battery 30 at a side away from the atomizationdevice 20.

In present embodiment, the atomization control unit is preferablydisposed on the battery 30 at one end away from the atomization device20. The atomization control unit includes an atomization control unitcircuit and an atomizer control switch coupled with the atomizationcontrol unit circuit.

In present embodiment, the atomization control unit is preferablyconfigured as a sensor switch 61 which is held in the battery stem 103by a switch holding base 62. Specifically, in this embodiment, thesensor switch 61 is a capacitive sensor switch. When the electroniccigarette is used by a user, the capacitive sensor switch senses thecapacitance change due to gas flow and then controls the atomizationcontrol circuit to power on the power source such that the electroniccigarette begins working. As an embodiment, the sensor switch 61 mayalso be configured as a gas sensor. That is, when the user inhales gasvia the mouthpiece end of the absorption stem 101, negative pressure isgenerated in the cavity of the electronic cigarette and therefore thegas sensor produces pulse signals to control the atomization controlcircuit to power on the power source.

As the sensor switch 61 in itself is precisely fabricated and generally,a dedicated controller is built therein, the atomization control circuitof this embodiment may be directly integrated into the controller of thesensor switch 61. As an implementation manner, the atomization controlcircuit may also be integrated into an atomization control circuit boardseparately disposed outside of the sensor switch 61 and electricallyconnected to both of the sensor switch 61 and battery 30.

As an implementation manner, the atomization control switch may also bea conventional switch of button type. The button switch is electricallyconnected to the battery 30 through a button control circuit board suchthat the atomization control circuit is controlled by pressing thebutton, thus realizing switching on and off of the atomization device20.

In this embodiment, a light emitting device is disposed on theelectronic cigarette at the other end away from the mouthpiece end. Thelight emitting device is used as a working indicator light of theelectronic cigarette, and includes a light emitting unit electricallyconnected to the battery 30 and a light cap 71 disposed at acorresponding end of the battery stem 103. The light cap 71 helps toradiate light generated by the light emitting unit. In this embodiment,the light emitting unit is configured to be a red lamp such that whenthe smoker smokes the electronic cigarette, one end of the electroniccigarette away from the mouthpiece end will generate red smoke circleslike those produced when a cigar is burned, hence enhancing visualeffects of the smoker.

Below, the electronic cigarette is composed of the absorption stem 101and battery stem 3 10 connected to the absorption stem 101. One end ofthe battery 30 electrically connected to the second electrode member 52is defined as a positive electrode, while the other end thereofelectrically connected to the second connection member 51 is defined asa negative electrode. In addition, the atomization control switch isconfigured to be a sensor switch 61. The current flow routing of theelectronic cigarette is described in detail.

When the smoker smokes the electronic cigarette, the sensor switch 61will sense and switch on the atomization control circuit. The detailedcurrent flowing path is as below: the current arrives at the secondelectrode member 52 from the positive electrode of the battery 30, thentravels to the positive electrode of the electric heater coil 221 viathe first electrode member 42, next flows to the first connection member41 via the negative electrode of the electric heater coil 221 andfinally, comes back to the negative electrode of the battery 30 throughthe second connection member 51.

Understandingly, the electronic cigarette is not limited to theembodiments shown in FIGS. 1-8. Rather, individual features of theseembodiments may be combined with each other to form new embodiments.

Though various embodiments of the invention have been illustrated above,a person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that, variationsand improvements made upon the illustrative embodiments fall within thescope of the invention, and the scope of the invention is only limitedby the accompanying claims and their equivalents.

1. An electronic cigarette, comprising an absorption stem one end ofwhich forms a mouthpiece end for smoking the electronic cigarette,wherein a filter tip is provided on the mouthpiece end.
 2. Theelectronic cigarette according to claim 1, wherein the absorption stemis of a hollow tubular construction, the filter tip is received in theabsorption stem and is interference-fitted with the absorption stem. 3.The electronic cigarette according to claim 1, wherein the filter tip ismade of acetate fiber.
 4. The electronic cigarette according to claim 1,wherein the electronic cigarette further comprises an atomization devicedisposed at a side of the filter tip and a battery electricallyconnected to the atomization device for providing power to theatomization device.
 5. The electronic cigarette according to claim 4,wherein the atomization device and battery are contained and held in theabsorption stem.
 6. The electronic cigarette according to claim 5,wherein paper is attached onto an outer surface of the absorption stem.7. The electronic cigarette according to claim 4, wherein the electroniccigarette further comprises a battery stem connected with the absorptionstem; the atomization device is located in the absorption stem, whilethe battery is located in the battery stem.
 8. The electronic cigaretteaccording to claim 7, wherein one end of the absorption stem facing thebattery stem is provided with a first and second connection portions forelectrically connecting the atomization device and battery and bringingstable connection between the absorption stem and battery stem.
 9. Theelectronic cigarette according to claim 8, wherein the first connectionportion includes a first connection member and a first electrode memberinsulated with the first connection member both of which areelectrically connected with the atomization device for constituting apositive and negative electrodes of the atomization device; the secondconnection portion includes a second connection member and a secondelectrode member insulated with the second connection member both ofwhich are electrically connected with a positive and negative electrodesof the battery; when the absorption stem is connected with the batterystem, the first connection member and first electrode member areelectrically coupled with the second connection member and secondelectrode member respectively.
 10. The electronic cigarette according toclaim 4, wherein the atomization device includes a liquid storagecomponent for storing cigar liquid, an atomizer pressed against theliquid storage component, and an atomization base and atomization casedisposed at two ends of the liquid storage component respectively forsealing the liquid storage component.
 11. The electronic cigaretteaccording to claim 10, wherein both of the atomization base andatomization case are interference-fitted with the absorption stem. 12.The electronic cigarette according to claim 10, wherein a first andsecond holding grooves are defined on the atomization base andatomization case at a corresponding side facing the liquid storagecomponent respectively for holding the liquid storage component therein.13. The electronic cigarette according to claim 10, wherein the liquidstorage component is supported by and held between the atomization baseand atomization case through a supporting tube.
 14. The electroniccigarette according to claim 4, wherein the electronic cigarette furthercomprises an atomization control unit electrically coupled with thebattery for switching on and off of the atomization device; theatomization control unit is located between the atomization device andbattery, or the atomization control unit is disposed on the battery at aside far away from the atomization device.
 15. The electronic cigaretteaccording to claim 14, wherein the atomization control unit includes anatomization control circuit and an atomization control switch connectedto the atomization control circuit; the atomization control switch is acapacitive sensor switch or gas sensor, or button switch; theatomization control circuit is integrated into the atomization controlswitch; or, the atomization control unit further includes an atomizationcontrol circuit board coupled respectively with the battery andatomization control switch; the atomization control circuit isintegrated into the atomization control circuit board.